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Boris Johnson has opened a Cabinet split after suggesting that the EU's plans for a common defence policy are "fine".

The Foreign Secretary said that it is in Britain's interests to have a "strong EU" after Brexit, adding that the UK will not "block or impede" further integration, including a common security and defence policy.

It comes after Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, said that the UK will oppose plans for an EU army because it could "undermine" the role of Nato.

Boris Johnson, the Foreign SecretaryCredit:
Gareth Fuller/PA

Referring to Brussels' ambitions to build its own defence "architecture" alongside Nato, he said: "If they want to do that, fine" - though he added that the priority should be to meet the Nato target of spending 2% of GDP on defence.

A source close to the Foreign Secretary said that Mr Johnson has "always been clear" that an EU army should not "undermine" Nato.

The Foreign Secretary insisted that the June 23 vote for withdrawal from the EU should not be seen as the UK turning its back on the world, and issued a plea that Britons should not be regarded as xenophobes or populists because of it.

Speaking at Chatham House, he said the UK must be "more outward-looking and more engaged with the world than ever before," following Brexit.

He rejected suggestions that it was in the UK's interests for the EU to fall apart, with other countries following Britain's lead in voting to leave.

"We want a strong EU and we want a strong relationship between a strong UK and a strong EU," said Mr Johnson.

"It is no part of our agenda to seek to undermine or to be dog-in-the-mangerish about the EU.

"There's a conversation going on now about the EU's desire to build a common security and defence policy and a new architecture for that. If they want to do that, fine - obviously they should also spend 2% of their GDP on defence.

"We are not there to block or to impede further steps towards EU integration if that is what they desire. We are there to support and to build a strong, thick relationship."